Green hydrogen. An energy carrier with great prospects for the future | TÜV Rheinland

Green Hydrogen - An energy carrier with potential.

Topics

Across industry, electricity, logistics, mobility and built infrastructure sectors: To achieve our ambitious climate targets, we need sustainable energy sources everywhere. Hydrogen is considered an energy carrier of the future that can support decarbonization very effectively. Green hydrogen in particular has the properties that a storage medium needs to have in order to drive the integration and the use of energy from renewable sources such as wind and solar power.

What is hydrogen?

Hydrogen is the most common element in the universe. It exists on Earth in almost unlimited quantities. It is the substance that stars are made of, and a major building block of all life on Earth. A full 70 % of the Earth's surface is covered with water (H₂O) – a chemical compound that consists of hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O). Hydrocarbons, such as methane (CH₄) and crude oil are also important hydrogen-containing compounds.

Thus, most hydrogen is found in chemical compounds: alone, it is an invisible, odorless and non-toxic hydrogen gas that is lighter than air and liquefies only at a temperature of -252°C. When it is burned or used in a fuel cell, it combines with oxygen to produce water again. It is precisely these emission-free properties that make hydrogen a promising candidate for the transition to a new energy carrier. With hydrogen, the goal of a low-carbon economy becomes achievable.

How is hydrogen produced?

To produce pure hydrogen, it is separated from oxygen using chemical, electrical, thermal or solar energy. Electrolysis splits the components of water into hydrogen and oxygen. If this process is powered by energy from renewable sources, it produces "green" hydrogen. This makes it possible to store surplus renewable energy in hydrogen and to produce a completely climate-neutral fuel, because wherever there is water and renewable energy – such as in the form of wind and solar power – green hydrogen can be produced.

Hydrogen is not a direct energy source. Rather, it is a carrier that stores energy and enables the transport, distribution and use of this energy. Hydrogen is therefore a form of secondary energy, as all of its methods of production initially require primary energy.

Green hydrogen is promoted worldwide.

If the hydrogen comes from renewable energy sources, the energy is produced in an environmentally friendly way. The major industrial nations have acknowledged this potential a while ago. All over the world, the establishment of a powerful and efficient hydrogen economy is being promoted with investments of billions of dollars – from the production of green (or other types of) hydrogen to its storage, transport and use in a wide range of applications.

While some countries are already further along in this process, while others are only in the early stages. It is clear that this is still a largely undeveloped market that offers new opportunities for all participants. However, it also presents challenges that must be mastered together.

We accompany you in investment projects with our Project Management Consulting Services, not only to minimize the coordination effort for our customers but also to realize the compliance with planning and legal requirements to finally achieve a completion of the project on time and within budget. Learn more about our PMC portfolio in detail.

Contact

As energy carrier, hydrogen offers opportunities for:

the gas industry as producers, operators of infrastructure and suppliers
the industry, both as consumers and producers of industrial equipment, fuel cells and hydrogen technology
the mobility sector as a user in the transition to an economically and environmentally sustainable transportation
the commercial sector and private end users

As an experienced partner to the industry, we support plant operators, grid operators, manufacturers or hydrogen users with the necessary structural change – along the entire value chain all the way to digital innovation, decarbonization and decentralization. Take advantage of our many years of experience and benefit from our support with the selection of technologies and the safe transformation of existing plants, grids and systems, as well as with the testing and certification of your technological innovations for conformity and safety.

Our interactive graphic illustrates how we support manufacturers and operators within the hydrogen value chain. Click and find your contact persons

Transport and Distribution

Storage

Renewable Energies

Hydrogen Production / SNG Production

Hydrogen / SNG Production

Renewable Energies

Wind Turbine Onshore / Offshore
Photovoltaic System

Hydrogen / SNG Production

PtG / Electrolysis System
Bio Gas Plant with Steam Reforming System
SNG System (Methanation) Including Oxygen and Heat Recovery Systems

Transport and Distribution

Hydrogen Injection System
Gas Grid
Gas Distribution Grid

Storage

Gas Storage

Hydrogen / SNG Production

Mobility
Industry
Homes and Businesses
Heat and Power Plant (Electricity / Heat)

Benefits of hydrogen at a glance.

Compared to fossil fuels and even some other renewable energies, hydrogen offers sustainable benefits. In particular when the benefits across the entire value chain are considered.

Production: Depending on the production process, hydrogen production can be particularly environmentally friendly and help fight climate change.

Storage: Unlike wind and solar energy, hydrogen can be stored. Regardless of the weather conditions, it is available at all times.

Transport: Hydrogen can be transported to its distribution points over long distances via gas pipelines or road tank trucks.

Use: From supplying electricity and heat to industrial plants and private homes to carbon-neutral vehicles for transport by road, rail or sea – hydrogen can be used as an energy carrier in a wide variety of ways.

We accompany you with your hydrogen-related challenges.

Hydrogen has the potential to supply our future energy needs. That's why we are committed to contributing to a future that meets the needs of both people and the environment in a sustainable way. And that's why we are supporting the development of hydrogen as the energy carrier of the future.

When the foray into not yet fully developed areas, and a lack of regulations, guidelines and experience can make it difficult to gain a foothold in the hydrogen economy. We support you with a comprehensive package of integrated services that includes testing, inspection, training and consulting. Our expertise will help you to manage the risks to people, plants, businesses and the environment and to create safe operating conditions. The path to a sustainable hydrogen economy has its challenges, but it's worth it. Let's walk it together.

Contact

Technical roadmap for Hydrogen

An embedded media content from YouTube has been blocked. When loading or playing, a connection to the provider's servers is established and cookies are set. For more information, please see our privacy policy and cookie information.

Load